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MDC says "May the Forest Be With You" Oct. 1
Kansas City, Mo. – Long, long ago, forests evolved with trees large and small, bearing fruit and nuts, providing homes and sustenance for people and wildlife. All who value trees for shade, beauty, lumber, pecan pie and tree houses raise your light saber. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will show how the alliance between people and forests is mutually beneficial with a free Trees Work special event on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, 1401 N.W. Park Road, Blue Springs.
Visitors can enjoy exhibits, activity stations and music at the nature center. Then they can venture forth on a trail where characters based on the Star Wars movies will appear. Activities are designed for all ages. The paved trail is easily accessible for droids or mobility devices. At stops along the trail, swashbuckling experts very familiar with this planet will demonstrate the environmental and economic benefits provided by trees and forests.
The Ewok play station will be open, where children can climb on logs and play with natural materials. Jedi can also try their hand at lifting tree limbs into shapes or shelters. A refreshment stand will offer a taste of homemade root beer made from roots of the sassafras tree, native to Missouri, and popcorn flavored with sap tapped from local maple trees.
Performances will be from noon to 3:30 p.m., and again 6 to 7:30 p.m. Guided hikes on the performance trail will begin every 15 minutes. No registration is required for any of the activities.
Burr Oak Woods offers nature and conservation educational programs year round. For more information about “May the Forest Be With You” or other Nature Center programs, call 816-228-3766 or visit http://on.mo.gov/2bTkcSx.